“I didn't know how to pass a major piece of legislation; I didn't know how to get colleagues to support my views. It took a lot of asking for advice and learning. One of the lessons is that you have to be able to tell people why you care, and you're only going to be able to do that if you talk to someone whom an issue is affecting.”

American lawyer and politician

Kirsten Elizabeth Gillibrand is an American lawyer and politician, born in 1966, who has served as the junior United States senator from New York since 2009. A Democrat, she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009. Gillibrand is known for her work in national politics, first in the House and then in the Senate, where she has represented New York since 2009. Her public voice is tied to her role as a lawmaker and to the issues that come with that office.